I’m a burglar – here’s how to outsmart me

From burglars’ mouths to your ears: Here are the vulnerabilities they look for when they’re deciding whether to rob you blind.

By Lauren Cahn

Consider investing in a security camera

“Get a camera and make it visible”, advises one of the burglars in the KGW survey. Of 57 convicted burglars surveyed by another US TV station, NBC 4 New York, 37 per cent said they’d be inclined to avoid breaking into a house with a visible security camera positioned near a door.

Get an alarm system

Not surprisingly, the sound of a home alarm system going off will quickly deter most burglars, KGW found. However, some burglars said they follow a fast and efficient routine that allows them to get in and out in less than five minutes, giving them time to get away before police can respond.

Hide your valuables where burglars won’t look

A determined burglar will search everywhere for valuables, including the stove, the freezer, the toilet tank and even boxes of cereal. However, most of the burglars surveyed by KGW reported heading to the master bedroom first before going through the rest of the house. Their second favourite room to search for valuables was the living room. Storing valuables elsewhere can help make a burglar’s job that much more difficult.

Don’t assume your dog will deter a burglar

It’s worth noting that 70 per cent of burglars surveyed by Fox 5 News in Atlanta said a dog wouldn’t deter them from targeting a home. And one of the burglars who spoke to NBC 4 New York said even a barking dog wouldn’t stand in the way of his burgling: “Dog treats do wonders,” he said.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!